Honda coming back to F1?
Discussion
According to this story in Autocar, it sounds like more than a definite maybe.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/f1-2012/honda-ad...
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/f1-2012/honda-ad...
This is how ridiculous rumours get started.
One person reads that article and thinks "This represents just the opinion of one individual and if events (ie the rule changes) occur then the probability will increase slightly"
Another person reads it and thinks "Honda are definitely coming back to F1!!11!1!!1 OMGZORS"
One person reads that article and thinks "This represents just the opinion of one individual and if events (ie the rule changes) occur then the probability will increase slightly"
Another person reads it and thinks "Honda are definitely coming back to F1!!11!1!!1 OMGZORS"
ArnageWRC said:
Why are they thinking of F1 – haven’t they learned their lesson?
The WEC would be a far better series for them, up against their rival Toyota, as well as Audi, Porsche, etc It also offers a better technology showcase – rather than the ‘one size fits all’ F1 engine spec.
But WEC (excluding Le Mans) gets around 1% of F1's tv audience. It is a great championship, and has enormous potential. However, it only really works as a marketing platform if you have something really innovative and unique (Toyota Hybrid, Nissan DeltaWing, Audi Diesel and now quattro). Honda could 'own' Hydrogen, linking to the clarityFCX road car, but there are few other unique things to communicate. I see F1 as Honda's destiny again, but as an engine supplier to McLaren. The WEC would be a far better series for them, up against their rival Toyota, as well as Audi, Porsche, etc It also offers a better technology showcase – rather than the ‘one size fits all’ F1 engine spec.
Somewhere I read that the F1 and LMP1 engines will be interchangeable once the new regs for both have come in (this may or may not be true, IIRC it was an Autocar article about Ferrari and LMP1). If so I'd suggest that Honda would be reasonably likely to return as an engine supplier for F1 with a view to the joint development of F1 engines for A. N. Other team alongside the development of an "all Honda" LMP car.
I really can't see Honda coming in and wasting that much money again and I suspect that their accountants can't either. However as a limited venture the McLaren Honda winning the WDC/WCC would give them plenty to boast about for a fraction of the cost of a full team effort. (Seeing as McLaren are possibly going to have to look for a new engine supplier and co-operating Honda's potential WEC effort would make the most sense to me).
I really can't see Honda coming in and wasting that much money again and I suspect that their accountants can't either. However as a limited venture the McLaren Honda winning the WDC/WCC would give them plenty to boast about for a fraction of the cost of a full team effort. (Seeing as McLaren are possibly going to have to look for a new engine supplier and co-operating Honda's potential WEC effort would make the most sense to me).
Edited by m0rris on Thursday 11th October 10:27
PW said:
What is the HPD effort if not the definition of "trying" the WEC?
With minimal expense they have 2 LMP1 teams and an LMP2 testing the water.
Yeah true! Still holding out hope we will see a factory effort, do they have the facilities still to build a sports car or would they have to use Wirth? With minimal expense they have 2 LMP1 teams and an LMP2 testing the water.
m0rris said:
Somewhere I read that the F1 and LMP1 engines will be interchangeable once the new regs for both have come in (this may or may not be true, IIRC it was an Autocar article about Ferrari and LMP1). If so I'd suggest that Honda would be reasonably likely to return as an engine supplier for F1 with a view to the joint development of F1 engines for A. N. Other team alongside the development of an "all Honda" LMP car.
That is true. There were many rumours of Honda/HPD coming back with a full blown works effort being run by either JRM or Strakka in the WEC and the possibility of a GTE car likely a NSX in 2015. http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120322/MOTORSPOR... (was in Autosport too)/
If they were to come back to F1 maybe they would look at buying Sauber (fully/a stake). It looks like Peter Sauber is stepping back from the team and may be convinced to sell with retirement looking likely.
If they were to come back to F1 maybe they would look at buying Sauber (fully/a stake). It looks like Peter Sauber is stepping back from the team and may be convinced to sell with retirement looking likely.
rlw said:
Watching the silly McLaren cartoon pre last week's Japanese GP, I was struck by the very close resemblance of the two robots featured in it to the fancy Honda robot that was doing the rounds a few years ago. Coincidence or a subtle hint?
That would be the most tedious subtle hint possible!Nothing more than a recognisable shaped robot.
PW said:
I think that was the original intention, but is no longer the case. I think the LMP1 engine rules are a lot more open, and with a much bigger allowance for KERS/Hybrid power.
Anyway - I think that you would struggle to develop a single engine that really excels at 2hrs screaming about at 15K rpm, AND 24hrs of bulletproof fuel sipping, and if you're not going to have an engine that is excellent in either field you might as well not bother.
P1 engines in 2014 are totaly open with a bigger KERS allowance, about twice what they currently have. Le Mans would be a good reliability proving ground for an F1 engine and the low capacity might serve well with the fuel flow restrictions. A stint at LM is about 45 minutes? I'm hoping we see all kids of bonkers engines turn up though. I think a purpose built engine will always fair better, will be interesting to see what Porsche turn up with. Anyway - I think that you would struggle to develop a single engine that really excels at 2hrs screaming about at 15K rpm, AND 24hrs of bulletproof fuel sipping, and if you're not going to have an engine that is excellent in either field you might as well not bother.
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